The only person not listening is our County Executive. Why, because he was just re-elect and in 4 more years most of you will have forgotten his challenge today against the Council.
Let's look at some of the things Salisbury News has heard about this middle school. We've been told that Mr. Pollitt made an alleged agreement with the BOE if they were to take the upcoming $5 million hit in this budget, Pollitt would deliver Bennett Middle School. We believe this is the key reason we/you haven't heard the BOE screaming like little girls about so many millions of dollars taken away from them recently.
We've also been told that one of the maintenance workers at Bennett Middle School has allegedly stated they have been instructed to fix NOTHING! If a window gets broken, tape a piece of cardboard over the window, you know the rest of the drill. Make it look as if things are desperate. Do I believe it, absolutely!
So, what do I think is the solution to this problem. Well, it's very simple. Screw the politicians and screw the Board of Education. Listen very closely because this is going to be VERY hard for many to understand, especially in today's world.
ONLY build Schools that are Blue Ribbon Schools! I don't give a crap if the NAACP screams and yells that they're being discriminated against. LIFE is NOT about football scholarships and so forth.
PROVE you have what it takes to build a quality environment to TEACH.
PROVE you want EVERYONE to succeed.
As the grades improve, teachers AND students are rewarded, PERIOD!
Go drive to Pittsville and see their school. If there's ever been a school district who deserves a new one, Pittsville does. My additional beef with this, their grades are far better than anyone else out there in the County. Delmar Elementary is another school that should get anything they want, because they've earned it.
Some say the County needs to concentrate on a Middle School, (and others) on the East side of the County. While Mr. Pollitt claims in his message that the County Council Members are playing POLITICS, do tell me what Mr. Pollitts message says. Is he not playing politics as well?
Finally, just imagine how well our children would be educated IF there was actually some kind of incentive involved. Oh, I know, tell a DEMOCRAT to actually WORK for something WITHOUT it being a GIFT instead, I must be crazy.
The County Council made a fiscally responsible decision and the Democrats are crying foul. Welcome to the DEPRESSION Democrats. Someone has to act responsible. Get Over it!
I knew you wouldn't understand Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone should get anything its
ReplyDeleteNorthwestern Elementary- you know the tiny National and Maryland Blue Ribbon School in Mardela Springs. Thats a school where the kids deserve better. Heck, they dont even have dedicated gym for PE. They've lived without the luxuries of many other schools and shown everyone that its not about the bricks and mortar, its about caring teachers, and involved parents!
Well put.
ReplyDeleteNicely written, you didn't miss anything!
ReplyDeleteHey Ricky:
ReplyDeleteYou ain't in Fruitland anymore!
4:52...
ReplyDeletewell said. It does start at home, and a great educational experience does include parental involvement.
The North Western district has obviously figured this out, good for them!
Do research to see why schools in Wicomico county are not doing well. Is there a group that does well vs. a group that does not? Who are the disruptive kids who hurt the educational process? I think we need to build a school for them whoever they are: red, yellow, black, brown, white - doesn't matter. Then the other schools will succeed. Teachers have to focus more on discipline rather than educating. Most kids want to learn and follow the rules. For the ones who don't, build them a school and give them all the promotions you want until they are old enough to get out. Let's give them vocational education so they learn a skill so they will not just be a draw on society. Let's get some manufacturing jobs back in the area so they have a place to work and support themselves. Simple ideas. Hard and complex answers.
ReplyDeleteDon't blame me -- I voted for Joe Ollinger
ReplyDeleteFlat roofs look all cool and modern but they suck. Dont forget about the snow.
ReplyDeleteI would make a steel upright building, modern in a more cool way. A little mini skyscraper if you will. It would leave alot more room for all the other stuff on a smaller blueprint and save money to. Aluminum with black tinted windows,wicked. First floor under ground(mech) second floor(ground) buses pull under the building,(by rain and elements) 3rd floor(5678floors) elevators. Maybe that fire truck was bought for something after all. Thats a building that is not only sleek, heck its sexy.
ReplyDeleteSuper buildings a bunch of over paid supervisors, no books no paper and an incentive program to get our best teacher to retire. WOW what a great plan.
ReplyDeleteYou can make a super building for half if your a smart person. Keep it in perspective and should of incorporated the middle school in with the new high school and you could of saved millions. To late now. You could of got two for the price of one. Then you could afford paper, computers and the essentials for learning. Seems to me there are some educated stupid people doing this thinking. Parr for the course I quess. Here in is the problem.
ReplyDeleteLook at the print of the picture. There are more angles and cuts through out that build. Why do the need to have that building as cut up as it is. Anyone with any common sense will tell you that every angle and corner costs more money. There are only 4 walls and a roof that is required. Save my money and build it right.
ReplyDeleteWhy dont the smart people run for office? Because they used their brains to get rich, and they are sailing to Jamaca. Sometimes life can be good. Cant stop smiling.
ReplyDelete6:33 PM
ReplyDeleteThe schools are not doing well because all of the high schools are in the City of Salisbury. They want the kids that want to learn mixed with the disruptive inner city ghetto kids. Placing most of the schools in Salisbury was done by design.
Make the old Bennett a lockdown boot camp for the anti- achievers, and let them swelter until they decide they want to learn and achieve.
ReplyDeleteWith this crowd, there is no "grade", so they will have to suffer through all the underachieving teachers treated with all the underachieving "students" that will not co-operate with normal class.
Wicomico needs just this facility, with cardboard windows and all.
First you have to have something to absord what is trying to be taught the kids.
ReplyDeleteKids having kids are producing inferior children. They have not matured enough themselves to pass anything down to their offspring.
It's not ALL the teachers fault. Poke a hole in a paper cup, then pour liquid into it.
Same principle with trying to pour knowledge into these malformed genetic animals.
Building them a prettier cage is just a waste of time and money. Give them a rifle and send them to war and thin out the population.
The 2 county council members on the School Building Commission should have put a stop to this a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteTeachers try to discipline but the administration and state won't let them. Teachers write students up and the referral is returned to the teacher. Why? The state will label a school as persistently dangerous if there are too many referrals. Nobody wants that label, so they suppress referrals and teachers must just put up with the disruptions. Teachers want order and discipline in their rooms, but they are not backed up by the admin and BOE.
ReplyDeleteAs the wife of a maintenance supervisor for the BOE your
ReplyDeletestatement regarding building
maintenance is absolutely
untrue. They have codes and
and standards that are mandated
and documented and are accountable
to "Mosha".
Oh my!......Am I really hearing cries for fiscal responsibility...right here in Salisbury?
ReplyDeleteAs I posted the other day...folks this is where it starts...community involvement...voting (another pathetic turnout for our City Council Primary but the good guy's prevailed)...but this can be a new beginning! Just stirring the vote only results in wasted time and energy..Just like some of the posts on Joe's blog, talk is cheap. My intention for writing this is not to criticize but to only encourage those of us who do take the issues presented here seriously and are willing to take responsible actions to address these issues.
By definition... victims never win!
As tough as the economy is the failure to finalize projects such as BMS are a hugh blow to building
ReplyDeletesupplies, contractors, and many other things. These are some of the reason our economy is in the cellar. Say what you want about Wicomico Couty they hold a AAA Bond Rating which is superior.
The following needs to be understood by everyone in this county.
ReplyDeleteThis entire middle school flap is about one thing, the manipulation of an electorate and the paying off of political allies with tax dollars. It's simple really.
Rick Pollitt wants to keep the BOE employees and the Teachers Union in his pocket voting for him, and keeping them angry at the responsible Republicans who want a new school, just not Rick and John's Taj Mahal.
Rick and John Fredericksen cooked this entire thing up all to score political points and keep a portion of voters whipped up and pissed off at the new council. They had to make this thing as over the top elaborate as possible, they WANTED this thing voted down, because THEY profit when stupid easily manipulated voters, (ok and the teachers union) are angry at responsible council members saying maybe we can't afford this big of a project right now. Remember Rick and John don't care about the students or the color of voter that this affects. They just want them angry so that they are easily manipulated and they stay on Rick's democratic voting plantation.
Part two is the repaying of O'Malley's cronies with a lucrative building contract, remember Rick works for O'Malley in this County. That construction Company is one of O'Malley's biggest contributors.
Follow the money people, your financial well being depends on it.
Rick Pollitt and John Frederickson are playing political games using their positions of power.
I'm reminded of my friend who couldn't figure out why his GF was always accusing him of cheating on her. Turns out she was cheating on him.
And so it is with Rick Pollitt.
Rick squeals, The council is playing games! The council is playing games.
But it's NOT the council that is playing games.
It's Rick.
I agree with Joe. Pittsville is definitely in need of a new school and they DESERVE it. I attended the school for 1-8th grade. My father attended the school AND my grandmother graduated from there. Of course since its "away" from the other schools it will always be last on the list. The teachers there are incredible and the students are great too. But it won't happen for a long time. Unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteget em tiger
ReplyDeleteHow many other schools in this County need a few simple upgrades? They aren't asking for entire brand new schools, just fix the heat and air. The same for BMS. How about making some upgrades now that times are tough and money is tight rather than a new palace?
ReplyDeleteI have an idea. For those who want the beautiful, but unreasonably costly school built-, get together and give the money out of your own pockets for all the upgrades, starting with the design, and including everything from the floors to the roof to the landscaping. That money would be put in escrow to remain untouched until built. That means you would have to decide with the amount of cash available, which add ons or extras you would choose. The council can agree to fund a building that is quality built, structurally, but without all the bells and whistles. That is how we as individuals have to make decisions when we buy a structure. Would I rather have a waterfront 100000 sq ft home with tile, marble, cherry cabs, granite, gardens, gazebos, a dock? You betcha. But darn - I only have enough money for a 1800 sq.ft home with laminate counters, and linoleum floors, grass, and a stone driveway. Still a great home, structurally sound, great hvac, etx. Yep, that is what I will buy because that is what I can afford. Get it Rick? Your council majority appears to.
ReplyDeleteIf the maintenance had been done all along, the building wouldn't be in the shape it is in now!
ReplyDeleteIf they don't maintain a new building any better than they have this one, you'll be in the same situation 10 years from now!
The State dictates that the school must move. There is a mandated square footage for the campus of a high school. Currently BMS is on that campus taking up that space.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1805 -
ReplyDeleteProve it! The BMS does not HAVE to be moved.
anon 4.43 am will you please run for county excutive, maybe govenor, no president!!! u have my vote!
ReplyDelete